ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Women and Child Development
Supply of Meals to Students during the Lockdown
State Governments and UT Administrations have been advised to provide Food Security Allowance  comprising of foodgrains, pulses, oil etc  to all eligible children till such time as their schools are closed due to aforesaid pandemic. The modalities for this purpose are decided by the respective States and UTs, according to the prevailing circumstances. States and UTs have also been advised to take necessary precautionary measures in view of the situation caused by COVID-19.
This information was given in a written reply by the Union Minister of Women and Child Development Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Cabinet approves construction and operationalisation of 100 bedded General Hospital at Najafgarh, New Delhi
The Union Cabinet Chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for construction and operationalisation of 100 bedded General Hospital at Rural Health Training Centre , Najafgarh, New Delhi at an estimated cost of about Rs. 95 Crore.
The Project envisages setting up of the 100 bedded hospital in Najafgarh in two years to cater to the local population of 13.65 Lakh spread across 73 villages.
The hospital will include four major clinical services in Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Paediatrics and Surgery, including a blood bank, diagnostic services and separate Out Patient Departments  for General Medicine, Surgery, Dental, ENT, Ophthalmology, audiometry and paediatric care through a staff of more than 30 doctors and 40 nurses, apart from 50 Allied and Healthcare staff.
This hospital will address a long-standing healthcare access issue for the local population, especially for the vulnerable sections including women and children. It will provide child and maternal services, trauma care and basic primary diagnostic, therapeutic, preventive and curative services in the area.
The hospital is expected to be fully operational by May 2020 along with all departments and requisite human resources.
Ministry of Communications
Department of Telecom organizes welfare activities for pensioners and licensees on the eve of Independence Day
: Mumbai/ Nagpur, August 15, 2023
Under the aegis of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, various activities focused towards Pensioners & DoT Licencees were held under the guidance of Ms Vibha G Mishra, Controller of Communication Accounts Accounts, Maharashtra & Goa, on the eve of 77th Independence Day  at Nagpur Regional Office.
A health camp for the benefit of DOT & BSNL Pensioners was held in co-collaboration with Shri Radhakrishna Hospital and Research Centre Nagpur. The team of Doctors, Nurses & supporting staff carried out different medical tests, & consulted the pensioners. Pensioners attended the camp in good numbers. Nearby citizens were also benefitted by the medical checkup camp.
On this occasion a Pensioners Samwad was also held wherein queries and issues faced by pensioners were resolved. A dedica counter was set up for Digital Life certificate where many pensioners updated there life certificates.
Licensee Outreach Program was conducted at the venue for the benefit of Internet service providers of Nagpur region, educating them regarding the working of SARAS, submission of Audited Documents, payment of License Fees etc. Various other problems/ issues concerning the Licencees were discussed & guidance was given to the Licencees. Around 15 Licensee from Nagpur City attended the session.
Shri Shahank Bhardwaj, Jt. Controller, Shri R.S. Warang, Dy.CCA, Dr,Neha Kirdak, ACCA, Dr.Tejas Mahire, ACCA, Shri Nilesh Suradkar, Shri Rajesh, Accounts Officers, Shri Satish Thite, Asstt AO & staff of the office worked hard for the success of the various programs taken on the occasion.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Draft Notification Issued Allowing Motor Vehicles and their Parts to be Affixed with Microdots
The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has issued a draft notification GSR 521 dated 24thJuly 2019, amending Central Motor Vehicle Rules,allowing motor vehicles and their parts, components, assemblies, sub-assemblies to be affixed with permanent and nearly invisible microdots that can be read physically with a microscope and identified with ultra violet light source.
Microdot technology involves spraying the body and parts of the vehicle or any other machine with microscopic dots, which give a unique identification. Use of this technology will help check theft of vehicles and also use of fake spare parts.
The microdots and adhesive will become permanent fixtures/affixationwhich cannot be removed without damaging the asset, that is the vehicle itself. The notification says that the microdots, if affixed,will have to comply with AIS 155 requirements.
The Ministry has sought comments / objections on the draft notification within thirty days.
Prime Minister's Office
Telephone Conversation between PM and President of the State of Palestine
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi spoke on phone today with H.E. Mr. Mahmoud Abbas, President of the State of Palestine.
Prime Minister conveyed greetings to the President and the people of Palestine, for the forthcoming holy month of Ramadan.
The two leaders discussed the challenges posed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and apprised each other of the steps being taken in their respective countries to control the situation.
Prime Minister appreciated the efforts being made by the Palestine authorities to protect their population from the virus, and assured all possible support from India for these efforts.
The two leaders agreed to remain in touch at appropriate levels to explore avenues of cooperation at this challenging time.
Ministry of Earth Sciences
The Low Pressure Area over northwest Jharkhand & neighbourhood now lies over east Uttar Pradesh and adjoining Bihar and associated cyclonic circulation extends upto midtropospheric levels
According to the National Weather Forecasting Centre of the India Meteorological Department :

Based on 0830 hours IST Observations
All India Weather Inference
- The Northern Limit of Monsoon  continues to pass through lat. 20.5°N/ Long. 60°E, Diu, Surat, Nandurbar, Bhopal, Nowgong, Hamirpur, Barabanki, Bareilly, Saharanpur, Ambala and
- Due to approaching of midlatitude westerlies winds, further progress of monsoon over remaining parts of northwest India is likely to be slow. The progress of monsoon is being monitored continuously and further update will be provided on daily basis.
- The Low Pressure Area over northwest Jharkhand & neighbourhood now lies over east Uttar Pradesh and adjoining Bihar and associated cyclonic circulation extends upto midtropospheric levels.
A western disturbance as a cyclonic circulation lies over north Pakistan and neighborhood between 3.6 and 4.5 km above mean sea level.
- The trough at mean sea level now runs from Northwest Rajasthan to northwest Bay of Bengal across Haryana, Southwest Uttar Pradesh, center of low pressure area over east Uttar Pradesh and adjoining Bihar, Jharkhand, Gangetic West Bengal and extends upto 9 km above mean sea level.
- The cyclonic circulation over north Haryana & neighbourhood at 5 km above mean sea level persists.
- The off shore trough at mean sea level now runs from north Maharashtra coast to north Kerala
- The trough from east central Arabian sea to South Konkan now runs from central part of South Arabian Sea to south Konkan at 4.5 and 5.8 km above mean sea level.
- The cyclonic circulation at 0.9 km above mean sea level over south Assam & neighbourhood has become less
For more details kindly visit www.imd.gov.in or contact: +91 11 24631913, 24643965, 24629798 
Kindly download MAUSAM APP for location specific forecast & warning, MEGHDOOT APP for Agromet advisory and DAMINI APP for Lightning Warning & visit state MC/RMC websites for district wise warning.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 Vaccination Update
More than 50.37 Crore vaccine doses provided to States/UTs
More than 2.60 Crore balance and unutilized doses still available with States/UTs and private hospitals to be administered
The Union Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country. The new phase of universalization of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from 21st June 2021. The vaccination drive has been ramped up through availability of more vaccines, advance visibility of vaccine availability to States and UTs for enabling better planning by them, and streamlining the vaccine supply chain.
As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, Government of India has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them COVID Vaccines free of cost. In the new phase of the universalization of the COVID19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply  75% of the vaccines being produced by the vaccine manufacturers in the country to States and UTs.
|
|
VACCINE DOSES
|
|

|
|
SUPPLIED
|
|
50,37,22,630
|
|
IN PIPELINE
|
|
49,19,780
|
|
CONSUMPTION
|
|
48,19,75,798
|
|
BALANCE AVAILABLE
|
|
2,60,17,573
More than 50.37 crore  vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far, through all sources and a further 49,19,780 doses are in the pipeline.
Of this, the total consumption including wastages is 48,19,75,798 doses .
More than 2.60 Cr  balance and unutilized COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs and private hospitals to be administered.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update on COVID-19 Vaccine Availability in States/UTs
More than 156.05 Crore vaccine doses provided to States/UTs
More than 17.57 Crore balance and unutilized vaccine doses still available with States/UTs
The Union Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country. The nationwide COVID 19 vaccination started on 16th January 2021. The new phase of universalization of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from 21st June 2021. The vaccination drive has been ramped up through availability of more vaccines, advance visibility of vaccine availability to States and UTs for enabling better planning by them, and streamlining the vaccine supply chain.
As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, Government of India has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them COVID Vaccines free of cost. In the new phase of the universalization of the COVID19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply  75% of the vaccines being produced by the vaccine manufacturers in the country to States and UTs.
|
|
VACCINE DOSES
|
|

|
|
SUPPLIED
|
|
1,56,05,78,415
|
|
BALANCE AVAILABLE
|
|
17,57,32,266
More than 156.05 crore  vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far through Govt. of India  and through direct state procurement category.
More than 17.57 Cr  balance and unutilized COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs to be administered.
Ministry of Science & Technology
Fossil lizards and snakes indicate climate of Late Miocene hominid locality of Haritalyangar, Himachal Pradesh, India
Remains of fossil lizards and snakes have been discovered recently from a late Miocene hominid locality of India  in Haritalyangar, Himachal Pradesh, indicating a seasonally wet sub-humid to semi-arid climate in the area with mean annual temperature of around 15–18.6°C during that period. It was similar to condition in the area today.
Lizards and snakes are cold-blooded squamates whose distribution, richness, and diversity of are highly dependent on temperature and climatic conditions. For this reason, squamates are widely regarded as excellent indicators of past climates, particularly ambient temperatures.
Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology , Dehradun, an autonomous institution of the Department of Science and Technology , in association with researchers from Panjab University  Chandigarh, Indian Institute of Technology Ropar  Rupnagar, Punjab, India, Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia documented the taxa ---Varanus, Python, a colubrid and a natricid from this region for the first time.
The occurrence of taxa Varanus in Haritalyangar is important in regard to its past biodiversity because varanids have a limited fossil record in Asia. Also, the fossil Python from South Asia remains poor except for the earliest record from Pakistan  and Kutch, Gujarat . A co-existence of Varanus and Python, two iconic squamates, revealed a wider distribution of the clade in this southern Asian territory.
The overall Haritalyangar squamate fauna, which is dominated by both large and small semi-aquatic and terrestrial taxa, indicates a seasonally wet sub-humid to semi-arid climate in the area during the Late Miocene, 9.1 Ma. Moreover, the mean annual temperature must have been high in the region at that time , indicated by the occurrence of important thermophilic elements such as Varanus and Python.
Dr. Ningthoujam Premjit Singh led this study along with Dr. Ramesh Kumar Sehgal and Mr. Abhishek Pratap Singh from WIHG, Dr. Rajeev Patnaik, Dr. Kewal Krishan and Shubham Deep from PU, Dr. Navin Kumar, Mr. Piyush Uniyal and Mr. Saroj Kumar from IIT Ropal and Dr. Andrej Čerňanský from Comenius University. It was published in the Geobios Journal in November 2022
Publication link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geobios.2022.10.003
Fig. 1. Varanus sp. Vertebrae in anterior , posterior , dorsal , ventral , and lateral  views. Scale bars: 1 mm.
Fig. 2. Python sp. Trunk vertebra in anterior , posterior , dorsal , ventral  and lateral  views. Scale bar: 1 mm
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SNC/RR
(Visitor Counter : 903
Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
MICRO AND SMALL ENTERPRISES CLUSTER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
Ministry of MSME has approved 540 projects including 212 projects pertain to setting up of Common Facility Centers  and 328 projects for Infrastructure Development  under Micro and Small Enterprises Cluster Development Programme , out of which 92 Common Facility Centers  projects and 200 Infrastructure Development  projects have been completed so far. The detail of approved projects as well as completed projects is enclosed .
Under MSE-CDP, the provision of maximum assistance of Rs. 18.00 crore  for Common Facility Centers , Rs. 8.00 crore  for Infrastructure Development  project and Rs. 12.00 crore  for Flatted Factory Complexes  was provided as per old guidelines, which has been changed to Rs. 21.00 crore  for Common Facility Centers , Rs. 10.50 crore  for setting up of new Industrial Estate/Flatted Factory Complex and Rs. 6.00 crore  for up-gradation of existing Industrial Estate / Flatted Factory Complexes as per the new scheme guidelines.
The detail of funds released under MSE-CDP during each of the last three years and the current year and the actual amount spent is appended below:
|
|
Year
|
|
Funds allocated
|
|
Funds released / spent
|
|
|
|

|
|
2019-20
|
|
227.90
|
|
226.339
|
|
2020-21
|
|
116.28
|
|
116.28
|
|
2021-22
|
|
156.50
|
|
135.59
|
|
2022-23

|
|
120.00
|
|
104.93
Prime Minister's Office
PM congratulates Shri N.Biren Singh on taking oath as Manipur CM
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has congratulated Shri N.Biren Singh on taking oath as Chief Minister of Manipur.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said;
"Congratulations to Shri @NBirenSingh Ji on being sworn-in as the Chief Minister of Manipur. I am confident his team and he would take Manipur to newer heights of progress and continue the good work done in the last five years."
Ministry of Railways
Railway Track Electrification
Ministry of Railways has planned for 100% electrification of its Broad Gauge  routes by December, 2023.
Railway projects are not confined to State/Union Territories /Districts. However, zone wise details of Railway Electrification as on 01.04.2020 are as under:-
|
|
Zonal
Railways
|
|
Total BG
Route
Kilometer
|
|
Electrified Route
Kilometer
|
|
Balance Route
Kilometer
As on 01.04.2020
|
|
Central
|
|
3,853
|
|
2,928
|
|
925
|
|
East Coast
|
|
2,774
|
|
2,774
|
|
0
|
|
East Central
|
|
3,883
|
|
3,336
|
|
547
|
|
Eastern
|
|
2,804
|
|
2,235
|
|
569
|
|
North Central
|
|
3,222
|
|
2,569
|
|
653
|
|
North Eastern
|
|
2,994
|
|
1,738
|
|
1,256
|
|
Northeast Frontier
|
|
4,112
|
|
319
|
|
3,793
|
|
Northern
|
|
7,057
|
|
4,816
|
|
2,241
|
|
North Western
|
|
5,083
|
|
1,801
|
|
3,282
|
|
South Central
|
|
6,058
|
|
3,744
|
|
2,314
|
|
South East central
|
|
2,099
|
|
1,863
|
|
236
|
|
South Eastern
|
|
2,713
|
|
2,392
|
|
321
|
|
Southern
|
|
4,834
|
|
3,381
|
|
1,453
|
|
South Western
|
|
3,566
|
|
731
|
|
2,835
|
|
West Central
|
|
3,010
|
|
2,525
|
|
485
|
|
Western
|
|
4,805
|
|
2,578
|
|
2,227
|
|
METRO Railway
|
|
27
|
|
27
|
|
0
|
|
Konkan Railway Corporation Limited
|
|
737
|
|
109
|
|
628
|
|
TOTAL
|
|
63,631
|
|
39,866
|
|
23,765
To expedite electrification of railway lines in the country, various steps have been taken including award of large size Engineering Procurement and Construction  contracts, better project monitoring mechanism, assured/committed funds through ‘Extra Budgetary Resource , decentralization of powers to field units, utilisation of technology etc.
This information was given by the Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
PM expresses pain over the mishap in Indore
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has expressed pain over the mishap in Indore. Shri Modi has spoken to Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan and took an update on the situation.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said;
"Extremely pained by the mishap in Indore. Spoke to CM @ChouhanShivraj Ji and took an update on the situation. The State Government is spearheading rescue and relief work at a quick pace. My prayers with all those affected and their families."
DS/SH
(
Ministry of Finance
The Central Government appeals to the Industry Leaders to pass on the benefit of GST Rate reduction to the consumers as it is expected to encourage domestic demand and investment among others.
The GST Council in its 23rd Meeting held on 10th November, 2017 at Guwahati, has recommended the reduction of the GST rate from 28% to 18% on goods falling under 178 headings, leaving now only 50 items under the GST slab rate of 28%. A large number of items have also witnessed a reduction in GST rates from 18% to 12%, 12% to 5% and so on. All these changes are effective from the midnight of 14th November, 2017. The benefit of reduction in the GST rate has to be passed on by the suppliers to the consumers by way of commensurate reduction in prices. The reduction in GST rates is also expected to encourage domestic demand and investment.
Ms. Vanaja N. Sarna, Chairperson, Central Board of Excise & Customs  has addressed a letter to all the major Fast-Moving Consumer Goods  companies pointing out the need to immediately revise the MRP on all the products in which the reduction of GST has been announced by the Council. She has also requested all to give wide publicity to the revised MRP of products. The Government expects that the industry should immediately respond to the earlier appeal made by the Finance Minister on this issue.
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
Pilot project for Skilling tribal youth launched today from Bhopal, MP
The Road to Atmanirbhar Bharat travels through Atmanirbhar Villages - Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar
The programme shall cover 50 Tribal Districts, training and empowering tribal youth, creating employment opportunities & revitalising local economy -Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Atmanirbhar Bharat Sankalp starts with the empowerment of rural youth. The road to Atmanirbhar Bharat travels through Atmanirbhar Villages. Today's launch of the Rural Tribal Technical Training Program is a small step in this direction, said Minister of State, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Electronics and IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar at the launch of Pilot Project for Skilling Tribal Youth - Rural Tribal Technical Training at the Centre for Research and Industrial Staff Performance CRISP, Bhopal.
The pilot project envisages training for about 250 beneficiaries of 17 clusters of 17 districts selected from 6 states of India – Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Odisha and will be organized at Vikas Bharti, Gumla, Jharkhand.
Training will be provided to the beneficiaries in 5 disciplines- electrical and solar energy, agricultural mechanization, e-governance, plumbing and masonry, two wheeler repair and maintenance. This training will also enable the youth to start their own business, thus generating more employment opportunities for other youth as well.
Speaking at the launch ceremony, the Minister highlighted the importance of Skilling in Post Covid - New World Order. The Covid pandemic has led to disruptions in traditional supply chains of electronics & digital products. The world is now looking for a trusted partner. As the world now looks towards India, we need to skill our youth to emerge as Global Skills Hub, he added.
Launching the Rural Tribal Technical Training Program  of the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, he said that the government is giving priority to skilling as an important aspect to provide more opportunities to rural youth and to strengthen local village economies.
The Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship has already build up an extensive network of ITIs, JSSs, PMKKs, PMKVY, apprenticeships and is transforming lives of youth through more than 4500 skilling programs being offered by it, the Minister said.
Extensive training with multiple skills will be extended to 50,000 to one lakh students in 50 tribal districts in the coming years, the Minister added.